Legacy and Gift Planning Director

What is the opportunity?

The Legacy and Gift Planning Director is responsible for developing and implementing a comprehensive giving program to cultivate and secure legacy and asset-based gifts. This individual will create proactive strategies designed to nurture partnerships and facilitate legacy and asset-based gifts that accomplish both the partner’s and ministry’s objectives. The position will collaborate with outside consultants and vendors, collaborate with Marketing to develop legacy giving materials, ensure data-driven and purposeful approaches, and guide the Investor Partnership team on best practices around legacy and asset-based giving. This full-time position reports to the Senior Director of Investor Partnerships and can be based in Charleston, South Carolina, or remotely in the United States near a major airport.

A successful Legacy and Gift Planning Director will:

Christian Witness and Values Alignment 

• Maintain a strong Christian witness and model servant leadership to colleagues, partners, and the communities we serve.
• Engage and participate in prayer before and after team meetings.
• Lead and participate in biblically based staff devotions.
• Faithfully serve partners and prospects in keeping with Water Mission’s philosophy of biblical stewardship.  

Legacy and Gift Planning Program Development 

• Build and implement a results-oriented legacy and gift planning program, developing strategies to cultivate, steward, and expand legacy partnerships. 
• Manage a portfolio of approximately 150 prospects generating 10-15 partner calls or visits per month, leading to growth in legacy and blended gift commitments.  

Educational Leadership and Collaboration 

• Provide strategic guidance and resources to the Investor Partnership team on best practices in legacy and asset-based giving.
• Partner with Marketing to develop physical and digital marketing materials, including a resource library, articles, and various campaigns, ensuring all resources align with best practices and reflect current legacy opportunities on Water Mission’s website.  

Partner Stewardship and Relationship Building 

• Build and strengthen long-term relationships with legacy giving partners, stewarding high-capacity partners and prospects.
• Engage with donors and their advisors to facilitate a seamless gift planning process that aligns with the partner’s and ministry’s objectives. 

Documentation and Data Management 

• Document and maintain information related to all communications and partner development activities using Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge software, enabling date-informed decisions, and tracking program impact. 

Content Creation and Communication 

• Create proposals, reports, articles, resource library, and other materials that articulate legacy giving and non-cash asset opportunities, ensuring messages reflect Water Mission’s values and mission. 
• Represent Water Mission at events, as needed, to foster awareness and engage prospective partners.  

Program Metrics and Evaluation  

• Develop and monitor metrics to assess the program’s success and ROI, continuously refining strategies based on performance data.
• Partner with outside consultants and vendors as needed to support legacy giving initiatives and ensure program effectiveness. 

Project Management  

• Use Smartsheet to plan and manage project deliverables, establish timelines, and ensure ongoing progress, keeping all project status information current and accessible.  

Organizational Knowledge  

• Maintain working knowledge of Water Mission projects, activities, and operations; as well as legal, tax, investment, financial, estate, and gift planning news, changes, and best practices.
• Consistently interact with existing legacy gift partners to nurture the ministry’s strong relationships and serve those who invest in our work.
• Document and maintain information related to gift planning communications and program development. 
• Receive and archive spiritual impact stories from partners. Share these stories with the Marketing team for use in publications and social media.
• Help implement and maintain technology to schedule and communicate with partners. In addition, use Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge database to track statistical information and program records. 
• Use Smartsheet to plan project deliverables, assign tasks, establish timelines, and monitor progress. Ensure project status is current and accurate.  

What is required?

• Personal and growing relationship with Jesus Christ. 
• Alignment with Water Mission’s Statement of Faith and Core Values of Love, Excellence, and Integrity.
• Bachelor’s degree required and law degree preferred.
• Minimum of 5+years of related experience in development, financial planning, estate planning, or related field, with a focus on legacy giving.
• Proven success in identifying, cultivating, and securing legacy gifts. 
• Deep knowledge of legacy giving vehicles, current trends in philanthropy, donor-advised fund, tax implications, and financial planning concepts related to charitable giving.
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills; ability to clearly convey technical information to diverse audiences.
• Strong data management skills; experience with Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge and Smartsheet preferred.
• Willing to travel 20 to 40 nights annually, including visits to Water Mission’s headquarters in N. Charleston, SC, as necessary. 
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively with a team.
• Home internet bandwidth strong enough to support video conferencing and other job-related responsibilities.
• Legal authorization to work in the United States without sponsorship.
• Commitment to the values and mission of the organization and ending the global water crisis.